(Newswire.net — November 30, 2020) –The prostate is an essential gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate’s primary function is to produce a fluid that mixes with sperm and fluids from other glands to make semen.
The prostate is naturally about the size of a chestnut, but it is common for the prostate to become enlarged, especially in older males. There is no clear reason why this happens, but certain things can put you at risk of an enlarged prostate.
Keeping your prostate healthy is an important part of male health. There are many options for maintaining prostate health, such as taking certain supplements and maintaining a healthy diet. Always make sure to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Unfortunately, prostate cancer is very common. That’s why it’s so important to arm yourself with knowledge and do your best to keep yourself healthy. In this article, we will discuss the function of the prostate and some tips for keeping your prostate healthy.
What Does the Prostate Do?
The prostate serves an important function in the male body. The prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. A doctor can physically examine it during routine health check-ups. When the prostate is functioning normally, it is quite small–just about the size of a walnut.
The prostate serves an extremely important function in the male reproductive system. It produces a liquid that helps make up semen. The fluid from the prostate is thin and milky. It mixes with the sperm cells produced in the testicles and secretions from the bulbourethral gland.
The prostatic secretion is very important for male fertility. It helps ensure the proper functioning of sperm cells and also helps to make the semen thinner. Additionally, the substance from the prostate helps to ensure sperm cell mobility, which is important for fertility.
During ejaculation, the combined fluid from the prostate, testicles, and bulbourethral gland is released in the form of semen. The prostate also provides the muscle contractions that allow semen to be expelled during ejaculation.
What Are Some Common Prostate Issues?
The prostate tends to become enlarged as men age. This is a common occurrence, and there are no specific risk factors associated with enlarged prostates. An enlarged prostate is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
While an enlarged prostate may be a common occurrence, it can still cause issues. First, because the gland is located so close to the bladder, it can cause issues with urination when it’s enlarged. It can block the flow of urine, which can result in several symptoms, including:
- Trouble beginning urination
- An increased need to urinate at night
- An urgent need to urinate
- A weak urine stream
- An intermittent urine stream (one that starts and stops)
- An inability to empty the bladder completely which may result in dribbling
Additionally, an enlarged prostate can occasionally cause more complex issues, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). The blockage that comes along with an enlarged prostate can also lead to kidney problems in some cases. Enlarged prostates may also affect sexual function.
Moreover, prostate cancer is shockingly common. In fact, approximately 1 out of 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes. Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men.
How To Maintain a Healthy Prostate
There are many natural ways that you can keep your prostate healthy some of the top tips for a healthy prostate include:
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Eat a Healthy Diet: It’s very important to eat a healthy diet for overall health. According to John’s Hopkins, a healthy-prostate diet should be rich in leafy greens, and you should avoid charred meat.
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Exercise: Additionally, exercise can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy prostate. It has been shown that men with physical jobs are less likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia then men who have desk jobs. This is linked to the increased movement associated with a physical job. Moreover, maintaining a healthy weight thanks to exercising will decrease urinary tract symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate.
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Get Screened: Finally, an important part of prostate health is to receive prostate screenings. However, the frequency of your screening depends on your age and also risk factors for prostate cancer, such as genetic history. If you have risk factors, you should receive screenings starting at the age of 40. However, if you have no risk factors, screening is recommended starting at age 55. A prostate screening may be made up of two parts:
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Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: This is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in your system. Higher levels of PSA may be an indicator of prostate cancer.
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Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): This is a physical exam that is performed by your doctor. However, this portion of the screening is not always recommended, as it has been shown to be potentially inaccurate.
Some men prefer not to receive a prostate screening. It is a personal choice that should be discussed with your doctor.
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The prostate is an important gland in the male reproductive system. It produces fluid that helps to make up semen. Additionally, the fluid that is produced in the prostate helps to promote fertility. Furthermore, the prostate gland helps create muscle contractions that allow for ejaculation during sexual activity.
The prostate can easily become enlarged as men age. While this is common, it can cause some issues. Because the prostate is located so close to the bladder, when it becomes enlarged, it can affect urinary health and can lead to issues such as a frequent need for urination and a weak urine stream.
Prostate cancer is alarmingly common. Thus, it’s very important to maintain proper prostate health. Stay active and eat a healthy diet rich in leafy greens. Additionally, especially if you have risk factors associated with prostate cancer, such as family history, you may want to speak to your doctor. You can also check out supplements such as Prostate 911.